If you never fancied the Eos as a replacement for the good ol' traditional Golf Cabriolet, then you'll be happy to know that the Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of an all-new soft top Golf model. The last time Volkswagen offered a convertible variant of the Golf range was almost a decade ago with the facelifted Mk3 version that was marketed alongside the Mk4 Golf.
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The insider also told us that the Q3 will be offered at launch with three powertrains, a 170PS 2.0-liter TFSI with a 6-speed manual gearbox and CO2 emissions of 172 gr/km; a 211PS 2.0-liter TFSI with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 184 gr/km, and a 170PS 2.0-liter TDI diesel and an with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 158 gr/km. More engine options will be added further down the line.
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According to our sources, the more practical and roomy Focus SW (also known as the Estate in some countries) will initially be launched in Europe. However, if there's enough interest by buyers in other international markets, Ford will add the station wagon variant to its global range of Focus models in the very near future.
First of all, the A1 will be launched onto the market as a three-door model with the five-door Sportback to follow at a later date.
It will be available initially with a choice of two gasoline and two diesel engines, all featuring turbocharging, direct injection and start / stop technology.
It's no secret that Volkswagen has been preparing a high-performance version of the latest Golf that will sit atop the GTI model in the range, but we can now confirm that the Golf R will definitely make its global debut at next week's Frankfurt Show. We're still short on the details but we do know the Golf R will downsize from the previous generation Golf R32's 250HP 3.2-litre V6 to a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is the same unit used on the new Scirocco R. Expect to see similar output in the range of 270 - 280HP.What we couldn't confirm is whether or not VW will upgrade the Golf R with a four-wheel drive system or if the company will keep the GTI's front-wheel drive setup as is the case of the Scirocco R (pictured below).
The Golf for power junkies will get a new bodykit similar in design to the one featured on the top-of-the-line Scirocco along with twin central exhausts, a set of beefier five-spoke alloys and darkened headlamps and tail lights. The R will be offered in three- and five-door bodystyles.
We'll be bringing you more 'inside' news from the Frankfurt Show this week so stay tuned...
* All photos are of the Scirocco R
UPDATE: Ford just came out with official photos of the five-seater version of the 2010 C-MAX minivan confirming that it will indeed be offered with the firm's new 1.6-liter EcoBoost direct injection four-cylinder petrol engine. Full details will be released during the Frankfurt Show press days. According to Carscoop sources, Ford has followed in the footsteps of Renault and Citroen with their respective Scenic / Grande Scenic and C4 Picasso models by developing two different body styles for the C-MAX, one for the five seater version and another one for the larger and more practical, seven seater model.
While we're patiently waiting for Ford to green light the release of the first official images, we've added a full set of spy shots of the seven-seater model. Unlike the base C-MAX with five seats and conventional rear-doors, the seven-seater version features a pair of sliding rear doors that promise to improve access to the rear seats.
It is believed that Ford will premiere its newly developed 1.6-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine on the new C-MAX that will also be available with numerous other normally aspirated petrol and turbo diesel units.
The new Ecooboost engine will eventually make its way on other Ford models in Europe such as the Mondeo and the next-generation Focus range.
Sales of the new C-MAX models are expected to start in Europe in mid-2010.
As for North America, even though Ford has confirmed that the U.S. will get the all-new, next-gen Focus model in 2010, there's no word if the range will also include the C-MAX.
Official Photos of 5-Seater 2010 Ford C-MAX
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Spy Shots of 7-Seater 2010 Ford C-MAX
Continuing our
Back in October we informed you about the European market launch dates of three upcoming VW models (Scirocco, Golf VI and the new Polo). Then we told you that the German carmaker will release the production version of the Scirocco concept during the fourth quarter of 2008. Now, we can be more specific as we learned from our sources that the VW Golf based Scirocco Coupe will be launched in Europe in September 2008. Still no word whether the Scirocco will head over to the States, even though we have heard that VW is negative about it believes that the coupe will cannibalize sales from the GTI. -Continued after the jumpAs for the Passat Coupe, our sources support that sales of the sporty sedan will commence in Europe towards the end of 2008, meaning that the car will come to the
Carscoop has received inside information that Ford will definitely introduce a successor to the highly acclaimed previous generation Focus RS (image above) in late 2008. We know that you’ve been hearing ambiguous news about the Focus RS the past year or so, but trust us; we wouldn’t have bothered telling you about it if we weren’t absolutely sure of the credibility of our source. For what it matters, we did the same thingOk, so now that we have convinced you about our reliability, let’s see what else we learned about the upcoming Focus RS. First of all, Ford’s performance team, led by Jost Capito, will use the
Power will be driven to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox while the RS will be equipped with an advanced semi-active limited-slip differential, improving traction and handling. Of course, the RS will also get a new suspension tuning and more powerful brakes.
In terms of appearance, little is known, but expect a more dynamic bodykit with larger spoilers along with a new set of chunkier tires and alloy wheels. Same goes for the interior that will probably be equipped with new bucket seats and a sportier trim.
So, when will the new Focus RS hit the European market? Our source told us that sales will start during the fourth quarter of 2008. We just can’t wait to compare the RS against the new Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO.
Honda has confirmed plans to build a production version of the CR-Z prototype that made its worldwide debut today (Oct. 24, 2007) at the 40th Tokyo Show. Dubbed as the successor of the highly popular CR-X compact sports coupe, the CR-Z (which stands for Compact Renaissance – Zero) is powered by the latest iteration of Honda’s hybrid IMA powertrain which promises to deliver low emissions and fuel consumption figures. According to Honda’s own words, the road-going version of the CR-Z “will be a compact, lightweight sportscar powered by a hybrid powertrain”. Though the Japanese carmaker was hesitant to announce launch timings for the production version, our sources state that the CR-Z will be introduced sometime between late-2009 and mid-2010. While we might not be exactly crazy for the CR-Z’s appearance, the fact that it will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain has definitely sweetened it up. Follow the jump to check out our CR-Z Tokyo Show image gallery along with a few comments made by Honda UK’s Enviroment Manager, John Kingston. -Continued
“Hybrids have always been seen as niche products, and hybrid car design has mostly been based around practicality and versatility,” said John Kingston, Environment Manager at Honda (UK). “The CR-Z Concept looks stunning, and shows that green cars can be sexy and exciting – but also minimise environmental impact”
“The fact that we will be producing cars like this – and the global hybrid – proves that hybrid cars are becoming key volume products within our range. All of this means that Honda will be selling over 1/4 million hybrids a year by 2009.”
